Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

Featured Initiatives

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.

Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117^th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.

NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

Jack Porter, Program Director
Sally Rood, Senior Policy Analyst
Jordan Morang, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Coordinator

Focus Areas

Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
Outdoor recreation & economic development
Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

States Support Work-Based Learning to Expand Employment Opportunities

WASHINGTON— The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) announced that six states— Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, North Carolina and Rhode Island— have been selected to participate in a policy academy focused on scaling ...

Eleven States Chosen for Occupational Licensing Policy Study

In a joint project with the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments, the National Governors Association helped to select 11 states to participate in a peer learning ...

Developing Talent in Rural America through Work-based Learning Experiences

As rural communities struggle to grow their economies and retain skilled labor, work-based learning experiences such as internships and apprenticeships offer a promising strategy to address workforce talent shortages and ...

Governors Praise Senate for Protecting Education, Workforce Funding

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) Education and Workforce Committee, led by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, released a statement on Congress’ consideration of FY 2018 Labor, Health and ...

NGA 2017 Summer Meeting

National Governors Association Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe kicked off the 2017 NGA Summer Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, with a discussion on how states continue to develop strategies to ...

Education and Job Training Funding in FY 2018

The Honorable Roy Blunt Chair Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Patty Murray Ranking Member Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, ...

Work-Based Learning Policy Academy TA Webinar Series

This webinar series, which ran from Jan 2016 to April 2017 looked at the following work-based learn topics: Measurement, Enhancement, Registered Apprenticeship in STEM, and Messaging/Communications. Presentations Measurement (January 2016)Enhancement ...

Human Capital Spring Learning Lab

April 24-25, 2017 | San Diego, CA Meeting Objectives Deepen understanding of high-leverage strategies to improve coherence of programs and policies. To do this, Learning Lab participants will: Inventory their ...

Classifying Municipal Securities as High Quality Liquid Assets

National Governors Association U.S. Conference of Mayors National Association of Counties National League of Cities National Conference of State Legislatures National Association of State Treasurers National Association of State Auditors, ...

Economic Policy Library

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